Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 122

Cordelia sat slumped at her desk, now changed into her cozy pajamas. Elbows planted firmly on the wood, she cradled her smartphone in her hands, awaiting a reply from the members of her social group chat.

Since yesterday, the question had been gnawing at her, who exactly was Everard? Even Sanderson, the guy who knew everyone in town, didn’t recognize the name. Could it be that Everard was a ghost, a figment of her Imagination?

This morning’s chat in the Pioneers Group sparked a realization, the group was a melting pot of professionals from various fields. Surely someone might know him, right?

But after she posted her question, the chat fell eerily silent.

After a torturous two–minute wait, a reply finally popped up.

Bland asked, [Lia, are you pulling our leg? How could you not know him?]

Cordelia blinked, her instincts telling her that Bland knew Everard. She typed back hastily, [Who is he?]

Silence fell over the group once again.

Just as she was about to probe further, another message came through.

Nolnterruptions said, [Never heard of him.]

Like an icebreaker, the message prompted a flurry of responses.

Pianoman said, [Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.]

Mathster replied, [A mystery to me.]

Painter said, [Who?]

Chef replied, [Not a clue.]

Others all replied, [No idea.]

Everyone chimed in except Louie Adams. Cordelia’s brow furrowed as she read the stream of ignorance, finally addressing Bland directly, [So, you’re the one who knows him, @Bland?]

Bland replied, [No, I definitely do not.]

confused, texting. [?]

a brain fart.

was speechless,

and nobody

earlier message – [If anyone digs

“The Periodic Table” that she’d borrowed from her grandmother. The

through the pages with

ends” couldn’t have been more true. She had thought her high school education was comprehensive and had even self–studied some college material, but compared to the true experts, she was leagues behind.

double down on

on until 11:30 PM when Lorna brought her a cup of milk and honey. “Get some sleep, dear. You have to rest to regain energy,” Lorna

good

her alarm when a new message popped up

are you

rarely held back from Louie. She pondered for a moment before replying with the

No way. Is he in Greenmeadow?]

replied, [Yes, do you

seemed to deliberate for a full ten minutes before sending back a cryptic

by keeping her distance? They hadn’t

deeply, replying. I can’t stay away from him, my heart literally

thinking she was waxing poetic about love, just as Lorna and Sanderson

decide, Louie

After a moment’s thought, she responded: [Because “Love or Die” curse. Do you

Louie went silent.

minutes, but still no message. Was

I’ll see

He

hope. Anyone else might have called him immediately, but Cordelia was patient by nature. If Louie said tomorrow, she

single

dried her hair, and slipped into bed. Just as she was about to turn off the device, it rang,

Everard’s number. What could

she answered, and a familiar voice, more velvety than she remembered, greeted

the nocturnal stillness, somehow more appealing. She hesitated before finally

so soothing it seemed to caress the